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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.1 Cemetery Renovations or 19 82 STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK ` CITY COUNCIL File #295-30 DATE: December 2, 2014 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, City Manager " SUBJECT: Dublin Pioneer Cemetery Renovation and Expansion Conceptual Design Prepared by Meghan Tiernan, Parks and Facilities Development Coordinator EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will consider approval of the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery Renovation and Expansion Conceptual Design. Staff has been working with Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey (RHAA) to conduct the cemetery expansion feasibility study and prepare a Master Plan update for the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Following approval of the preferred Conceptual Design for the Cemetery Renovation and Expansion the Consultant will complete the estimates for capital outlay and operational costs, and the economic feasibility study for the project for consideration by the City Council at a future meeting. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council receive the presentation and approve the Conceptual Design. � r Submi ted By l Reviewed By Parks and Community Ser ices Director Assistant City Manager DESCRIPTION: At the October 1, 2013 City Council meeting, the City Council approved an agreement with Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey (RHAA) to conduct the cemetery expansion feasibility study and prepare a Master Plan update for the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery. Staff and RHAA began the design process, surveyed the parcels, discussed the project with regulatory agencies and adjacent property owners, and identified the site opportunities and constraints. The design process included hosting two community meetings to gather public feedback and preferences for design. The design concepts were also posted on the City's website for community input. Page 1 of 3 ITEM NO. 7.1 The result of these meetings and input was the development of the preferred alternative for the Pioneer Cemetery Renovation and Cemetery Expansion plans. On February 1, 2014, approximately 34 people attended Community Meeting #1 where City Staff and RHAA gathered public input regarding expectations, desires and concerns regarding the existing Pioneer Cemetery and the potential Cemetery expansion. Many attendees expressed the desire to retain the existing character of the Pioneer Cemetery and to not expand within the Cemetery boundaries. It was noted that pathways within the existing cemetery needed improvement as well as the plantings along Hawthorne Lane. Desires for the expansion area included respecting the look and feel of the existing Cemetery, providing a columbarium wall with niches, mitigating highway noise, adding benches and a place for meditation. The City hosted a second community meeting on September 23, 2014, which was attended by approximately 20 people. City Staff and RHAA gathered feedback on the proposed Existing Cemetery Expansion Plan and three alternative conceptual plans for the Cemetery Expansion area across Dublin Creek. The Cemetery Renovation plan presented at the meeting included a low columbarium wall along the southern edge of the Heritage Park which would have accommodated 500-750 niches but the low columbarium wall was not widely supported and has been removed from the final conceptual plan for the Pioneer Cemetery Renovation. There was wide support for Cemetery Expansion Concept 3 which has been modified in response to public comments to create the final proposed conceptual plan for the Cemetery Expansion area. Pioneer Cemetery Renovations Renovations to the existing Pioneer Cemetery would include improvements to the paving to provide easier access throughout the Cemetery and improve access to burial plots at the western end of the cemetery, and the restoration and re-emphasis of Hawthorne Lane which includes new pervious concrete paving and replacement trees. The gathering space adjacent to the church would be enhanced with new paving, plantings and a larger pergola to provide more shade. A new low stone wall with wooden pillars and accent plantings would be featured along the sidewalk along Donlon Way. Trash receptacles would be added in key locations with the cemetery. Cemetery Expansion The Cemetery Expansion conceptual plan includes a pedestrian bridge from the existing Pioneer Cemetery to the wooded meadow site across the Dublin Creek which is currently owned by the Dublin Historic Preservation Association. The concept plan seeks to maximize the limited available space as the parcel has a significant number of large native trees, as well as several trees protected by the City's Heritage Tree Ordinance. The concept plan provides 315 interment vaults, 1,125 low columbarium niches, 1,624 high columbarium niches, and 44 traditional burial plots for a total of 3,109 units. The design would preserve the existing native and Heritage trees, and the meadow character of the site by providing flush head stones so that the profile of the ground is kept level. A sound wall along the southern boundary would provide visual separation from the adjacent Highway 580 and mitigate freeway noise. Pathways with benches would meander through the cemetery to provide circulation to burial plots and the intimate groupings of vaults and niches. The improvements also include a pedestrian bridge, pathways around the meadow area and native trees, benches, and plantings. The presentation and questionnaire from Community Meeting #2 was posted on the City website from September 25. A Newsflash was sent on October 9 and public comments were accepted until October 17. Page 2 of 3 Recommendations from the Commissions The conceptual plans were reviewed on November 11, 2014, at a Joint Meeting of the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission, and the Parks and Community Services Commission. Participants of past community meetings and neighboring property owners were sent invitations to the meeting. After hearing public comment, the conceptual plans were approved unanimously for recommendation to City Council by the Parks and Community Services Commission by a 5-0 vote, and the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission by a 5-0 vote. There were two recommendations from the Commissions that will be included in the plans. The first recommendation is to keep the existing flagpole at the Church because it has a monument to Veterans Service at its base; the second recommendation is to consider the appearance of the freeway side of the sound wall because it also serves as a face of the City of Dublin. Attachment 3 is a copy of the draft meeting minutes regarding the conceptual plans. Public Art Veterans Memorial During the discussion about the cemetery renovation and expansion, there was a suggestion to include a Veterans Memorial as part of the project, potentially as a work of art. There is $350,000 in the Public Art Fund from in-lieu fees paid by the developer of Schaefer Ranch, and per the Development Agreement are specifically to be used at the Heritage Park and Museums. Staff recommends using the Public Art Fund to commission artwork to serve as a Veterans Memorial. If the City Council concurs with the concept of the Memorial, Staff will present a report in the future regarding potential locations on the site and the public art selection process. Next Steps Following approval of the preferred Conceptual Plan for the renovation and expansion the Consultant will complete the estimates for capital outlay and operational costs, and the economic feasibility for the project for consideration by the City Council at a future meeting. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: Notifications were mailed to Cemetery stakeholders, Cemetery wait list, residents who participated in the community meetings, residents within a 300-foot radius of the site, Dublin Historic Preservation Association, the Parks and Community Services Commission and the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Pioneer Cemetery Renovation Conceptual Design Plan 2. Preferred Cemetery Expansion Conceptual Design Plan 3. Draft Minutes from the November 17, 2014, Special Joint Meeting of the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission and the Parks and Community Services Commission Page 3 of 3 ' I ■5. PERGOLA 2. PROGRAM SPACE I. PERM-S—CRETE 5. CONCRETE PAVING TO REMAIN----- II 1 ■6. NEW LANDSCAPE -----_—__---�--� 1 -_ it � N7. SPECIAL PAVING 7 j .8. EXISTING HAWTHORNE j I O 9. PROPOSED HAWTIiORNE 1 Z • L —Z-- Z _ W ORNAMENTAL TREE a3 I M1 11.TRASH RECEPTACLE 12.PROPERTY LINE 1 3 I xT 12 I J�F.TRRiOGE TENTL CEMETERY E%PAN$IaN EA' II II���II II Resulting Renovation Concept Plan CI,T°F rhaa FLOWERING TREES PERGOLA*!VINES I i _ Q PERENNIAL 661OE1,TYP. s STONE WALL WITH*000 WOOD ENTRY GATE POSTS AT CORNERS Renovation Concept Donlon Way Elevation CI,T°F rhaa ■1. WOOD FOOT BRIDGE I i 2. WOOD MULCH ORnG »`�••�•�, p MAINTENANCE STRIP �I DUBLIN PIONEER CEMETERY ; , O I a. WOOD MULCH OR DG Z } MAINTENANCE PATH \..........��� O ' � ■4. BENCH l �y *ALCOLLIMHARIl1M WALL PEHVIWS CONCRETE ` l T. IWGROUND CREMATION LTS 1I _ VAU `'11..� al. (L-W COLUMBAllIUll WALL /• 5 .fi 15 ' 1 { 9 NEW LANDSCAPE 11.TRADI71I III J . ` PLDTS 4 � � � � ■11.sound WALL B -_ _._ 12 17.ACCESS GATE 11 CRNAMENTALTREE 7 l 14-SHADE TREE - _ A 14 _i I) -'- •. .rte m,. - { DUBLIN --15.PROPERTY LINE .. KENNEILS •1 2. 1 APPR0111MATE BURUIL UNIT QUANTITIES _ I IN•ORCiJND CREMATION VA111TS:III LOW IUMBARIUM NICHES FOR V\ CREMATATION'.1145 HIGH COLUMBARIUM NXHE5 FOR r� CREMATION'.1625 TRADfUONALBURLALPLOTS 44 //yTRSrq rF5 @Q TOTAL UNITS:1109 Preferred Expansion Concept CI,'T OI rhaa E. WOOD MULCH OR oG MAIN I ENANOE S1 HIP 2. WOOD DECKING.MULCH OR DG PATH 3, PERVIOUS CONCRETE TRANSITION ZONE � �\ 9. INTERMEIR VlWLTS S HIGH CIXUMBARIUM WALL L 8.SOUND WALL 7.EXISTING OAK TREE l B-FOOTBRIDGE � I V e I A s C#Cm - } a 2 3.. � r 1 Expansion Concept Typical Section CITY OF rhaa DUBLIN ... STONECAP STONE CAP 'II 11-1@'x 18'NICHE J❑ �❑❑❑❑ E -� STONE VENEER 1 ❑❑❑❑ STONE VENEER 11-12-x 11-11T BRONZE PLAQUE AGGREGATE FLORAL STRIP \l CONCRETE WALL • Revised Expansion Concept 3'-8" High Columbarium Wall Typical Section + Elevation DUBLIN rhaa IN a. — S70NE CAP _- STONE CAP - - GONGRETE WALL �❑ ❑❑❑� ❑ J' 11-112'X 1S'NICHE ] ❑❑ ❑ STONE VENEER ❑ ❑❑ ❑❑ STONE VENEER 11-1R"x 11-112'BRONZE PLAQUE CONCRETE PAVING AGGREGATE FLORAL STRIP i Revised Expansion Concept 6'-8" High Columbarium Wall Typical Section + Elevation CITY OF rhaa DUBLIN ... f � � z Rte. ASP i Columbarium with Seating . • t. OW so W=if W Low Wall r � Columbarium . . i -. - 1 _. - -- .._. _ .- _ � _. - _ - - �•-.- /fir^ - .! In-Ground Columbarium with Labyrinth rhaa CITY(]F DUBLIN •......•••F,•...• •.. CITY OF DUBLIN SPECIAL JOINT MEETING PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Draft Minutes November 17, 2014 The November 17, 2014 Special Joint Meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission and Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at 6:03 PM at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Parks and Community Services Commission Chair Totaro. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission Chair Deets led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners (Cm.) Present: Parks and Community Services Commissioners: Ballesteros, Elias, Mack,Totaro, Tran Heritage and Cultural Arts Commissioners: Carr, Deets, Iharosi, Minniear, Tutino, Vanderpool (arrived at 6:48 PM) Commissioners Absent: Parks and Community Services Commissioner: Boboc Heritage and Cultural Arts Commissioner: King ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 3.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES None WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None PUBLIC HEARING None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS 8.1 Dublin Pioneer Cemetery Renovation and Expansion Ms. Meghan Tiernan, Parks and facilities Development Coordinator, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Ms. Cordy Hill, Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey (RHAA) consultant, presented the details of the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery Renovation Conceptual Design and Dublin Cemetery Expansion Conceptual Design. Chair Deets commented that the Preferred Expansion Concept shows great compromise and he would like to pursue this concept. Cm. Minniear asked about the existing flag pole at St. Raymond Church that is not shown in the elevation diagram. Cm. Minniear stated he would like the flag pole to remain at the Heritage Park & Museums as it has a memorial for the Dublin Service Command; it is one of the few markers that refer to veterans' service in Dublin. Mr. McCreary, Parks and Community Services Director, stated Staff has not P&CSC and H&CAC Joint Meeting Draft Minutes—November 17,2014—Page 2 of 3 determined what to do with the flag pole at this time and would need to conduct more research on the flag pole; Staff is open to discussion on the placement of the pole. Ms. Hill stated RHAA and Staff recently began considering incorporating a Veterans' Memorial into the plan. Cm. Minniear stated a Veterans' Memorial would be a valuable addition. Cm. Minniear thanked Staff for removing the low burial wall that was going to be placed between the Sunday School Barn and the edge of the Cemetery. Cm. Minniear stated he likes the plan. Cm. Minniear further commented that the sound wall combined with the columbarium wall in the expansion area would shelter the people in the park and at the cemetery from the passing cars; removing the bushes from the wall by the Church is a clever idea; and adding a walkway to the immediate left of the church is a good idea as it would allow direct access from the church to the outdoor event space. Cm. Minniear asked if plans have been made for the rose garden. Ms. Tiernan stated the plants would most likely be transplanted and replanted in the same area. Cm. Minniear asked if the existing wood structure by the Church would be removed. Ms. Tiernan stated the wooden pergola would be removed and replaced with a structure that provides more shade. Cm. Minniear commented on the existing trees leaning on the church. Mr. McCreary stated the trees could be trimmed. Mr. McCreary stated, in regards to the Veterans' Memorial, the City has $350,000 in Public Art Funds specifically for the Heritage Park and Museums from the developer of Schaefer Ranch. The fund would not all go into one item. Staff would look at the site to see if there are any potential public art opportunities that would be identified in the Master Plan as it is updated. Vice Chair Iharosi asked if there is a possibility of owning the property that currently belongs to the Dublin Creek Kennels in the future. Mr. McCreary stated in the Master Plan there is a structure on the Dublin Creek Kennels property called "The Cottage" which has historical significance. If Dublin Creek Kennels were to ever sell the property, the option to purchase the property could be discussed. Cm. Elias stated he liked the concepts; they have a nice flow and fit well with the environment. Cm. Elias asked about Dublin Creek and what the possible overflow or flooding would do to the surrounding area. Ms. Hill stated in the event of a hundred-year flood, according to the analysis received, the water would not flood the park or cemetery. Vice Chair Mack stated she liked the proposed expansion project. Vice Chair Mack asked about the priority procedures for the additional burial sites. Mr. McCreary stated Staff has an existing waitlist; Staff would go to City Council for direction on establishing a policy and fees for the new burial plots. Chair Totaro stated the Concepts are attractive. Chair Totaro asked who is currently responsible for maintaining the Pioneer Cemetery and plots. Mr. McCreary stated the City is responsible for the cemetery grounds; the family members of the plot owners are responsible for the plots themselves. Plots that have not been maintained because there are no living relatives in the area are cleared annually by volunteers. Chair Totaro asked about the funds going into Pioneer Cemetery. Mr. McCreary stated Pioneer Cemetery is an overall park amenity. Funding would go towards upgrading the cemetery, such as access to water, additional trash cans and benches. The majority of the costs in the Renovation Plan would be for paving and landscaping. Chair Totaro commented on having funds available for the expansion area as well. P&CSC and H&CAC Joint Meeting Draft Minutes—November 17,2014—Page 3 of 3 Ms. Hill stated the cemetery is closed for plot sales because all the plots are currently sold. Mr. McCreary stated there is no room in the existing cemetery for additional plots. Chair Totaro asked about a sound barrier to the dog kennels as he is concerned about the noise. Mr. McCreary stated there may be some landscaping done to create a visual barrier but no sound barrier is planned at this time. Cm. Minniear agreed with Chair Totaro on the noise concern. Cm. Minniear added that many people come to the Heritage Park and Museums to enjoy the solitude. A member of the public asked if a City sound wall could be connected and incorporated with the planned sound wall to be built at the adjacent Heritage Complex location. Mr. McCreary stated Staff would have to look into the matter for more information on the construction plans. Mr. Rich Guarienti, Dublin Resident, commented that he likes the Renovation and Expansion plans; if Staff would consider replacing some of the existing non-native trees, such as the eucalyptus, with native trees. Cm. Tutino commended Staff on working with the public and stakeholders to incorporate all the different views in the plans and communicating well with each other. A member of the public asked how many burial plots will be added in the cemetery expansion. Ms. Hill stated there will be a total of 3,109 plots, including 44 traditional plots. Cm. Minniear agreed with the public comment regarding the sound wall as the sound wall would be one of the first views people see when they come to Dublin. Ms. Hill recommended planting creeping fig along the sound wall to prevent the wall from graffiti as well as the wall becoming a "green" wall. On a motion by Vice Chair Mack, seconded by Cm. Ballesteros, and by a vote of 5-0-0 with Cm. Boboc absent, the Parks and Community Services Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval to the City Council of the Conceptual Design of the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery Renovation and Expansion. On a motion by Cm. Carr, seconded by Vice Chair lharosi and by a vote of 5-0-0, with Cm. King and Vanderpool absent, the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval to the City Council of the Conceptual Design of the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery Renovation and Expansion.